Former Eastern Regional Minister Seth Acheampong has voiced serious reservations about the ongoing impeachment process targeting suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. He cautions that the current trajectory could have long-term consequences that threaten the stability of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
Appearing on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, June 26, Acheampong expressed alarm over the implications of how the proceedings are being handled. He argued that the judiciary is being exposed to political interference and that the integrity of the system could be severely undermined.
“We must be careful,” he warned. “What’s being done to the Chief Justice isn’t just unfair—it sets a precedent that could haunt us in the future. While judges have faced such proceedings before, we’ve never seen this happen to a sitting Chief Justice. That is deeply troubling.”
Acheampong highlighted what he sees as an unhealthy power imbalance between the branches of government, particularly the Judiciary and the Executive. “In a democracy built on three arms of governance—Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary—we have unfortunately empowered the Executive in a way that diminishes judicial independence. That’s what I call a capture of democracy,” he remarked.
His comments come at a time when Chief Justice Torkornoo has openly criticized the committee handling her case. She has described the inquiry, held behind closed doors at a secured facility on Castle Drive in Osu, as opaque and intimidating. According to her, the process defies established legal standards and undermines her right to mount an adequate defence.
Despite ongoing calls for her resignation, Justice Torkornoo has refused to step down, maintaining that doing so would validate what she terms an illegitimate and unclear process. She was suspended by President John Dramani Mahama on April 22, 2025, after a prima facie case was determined with input from the Council of State.
Following constitutional guidelines under Article 146(6), a five-member committee was constituted to investigate various petitions alleging misconduct. Although in-camera hearings are allowed by law, the Chief Justice has unsuccessfully challenged the legality of the proceedings multiple times in court. All four applications—one of which she filed herself—were dismissed by the Supreme Court.
Still determined to contest the process, her legal team has now filed a fresh suit at the High Court in a renewed bid to halt the removal proceedings.
Reported by MyABCLive.com, sourced from Citinewsroom.com
